One of the extensively understood fixtures of horror fandom is that the extra sequels a franchise has, the higher the probabilities are for diminishing returns with every movie. Amityville Horror and Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath followers are all too conscious of it, although uncommon exceptions can and do exist. (See: Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Noticed X, the Scream requels.) As such, it’s not even a candid confession to say I had minimal confidence the V/H/S anthology may nonetheless presumably ship a “series-best” entry at this level within the run.
It seems my expectations are worthy of being toilet-papered and pelted with rotten eggs, as a result of V/H/S/Halloween shouldn’t be solely the very best V/H/S movie but, nevertheless it’s additionally probably the most enjoyable horror anthologies of the fashionable period. Reasonably than specializing in a particular yr, much like a number of previous entries, producers Josh Goldblum and Brad Miska as an alternative organically leaned into probably the most apropos vacation potential for found-footage, and the result’s all treats, zero methods.
Weight loss program Phantasma – Directed By Bryan M. Ferguson
The wraparound phase for this yr’s entry, Weight loss program Phantasma is actually a collection of recorded client suggestions interviews revolving round a newly launched components for the mushy drink Weight loss program Phantasma. To say the potable has a chew could be placing it mildly, and these segments function fast and exceedingly gnarly pops between the longer segments.
Coochie Coochie Coo – Directed By Anna Zlokovic
Director Anna Zlokovic beforehand tailored her Chew-Sized Horror episode “Appendage” right into a full-length 2023 function, however I can solely hope that “Coochie Coochie Coo” is an indication of how her profession is evolving: this viscerally disturbing phase may simply function textbook “how-to” steering for future V/H/S filmmakers and past. Right here, a gaggle of teenagers discover themselves trapped in a very haunted home with an child-snatching entity dubbed “The Mommy,” and seemingly each form of worthwhile scare tactic is thrown into the combo for a cacophonous assault on the senses. Anybody in search of out Halloween sweet munchies will probably have their urge for food thwarted by what transpires inside The Mommy’s abode.
Ut Supra Sic Infra – Directed By Paco Plaza
Paco Plaza co-wrote and co-directed certainly one of cinema’s handiest found-footage films up to now, 2007’s [REC], which anchored the aesthetic to a TV reporter and her cameraman. His phase in V/H/S/Halloween skews extra to zeitgest-y obsessions with true crime content material, and facilities on the only real survivor of a eye-poppingly brutal bloodbath. In an try to determine a timeline of occasions from the night time earlier than, the survivor takes police on a doomed journey that embraces the phrase “as above, so under” each actually and figuratively. My favourite found-footage moments contain audiences witnessing issues that would really be unbelievable, and that concept will get spun round fairly properly in “Ut Supra Sic Infra.”
Enjoyable Dimension – Directed By Casper Kelly
The creator of Grownup Swim’s seminal “Too Many Cooks” quick (in addition to co-creator of Stroker & Hoop, Your Fairly Face Is Going To Hell and extra), Casper Kelly unsurprisingly delivers probably the most hilariously bonkers entry within the anthology, which units up no fewer than three distinct moments that may 100% trigger viewers to holler out in amused disgust. It is a cautionary story about teenagers who do not comply with a sweet bowl’s “one per particular person” rule, in addition to a warning that the city legends of razorblades in apples is not probably the most disturbing takeaway one can get whereas trick-or-treating.
Kidprint – Directed By Alex Ross Perry
Although not probably the most seasoned in horror fare, filmmaker Alex Ross Perry (Her Scent, Pay attention Up Philip) helms arguably probably the most immediately bothersome phase in V/H/S/Halloween, and one which naturally includes his lifelong love of video shops. “Kidprint” facilities on simply such a enterprise that provides the titular child-centric movies which might be ideally meant for use by police in circumstances the place kids go lacking. However as soon as connections are made between the service and the disappearances, how a lot of it’s coincidence and the way a lot is pure evil?
Residence Hang-out – Directed By Micheline Pitt-Norman & R.H. Norman
“Residence Hang-out” is actually a contained and wildly extra grownup tackle Marlon Wayans’ spooky household comedy The Curse of Bridge Hole, and I dare say, it is extra worthy of viewers’ time. The phase facilities on a house hang-out whose freaky props and sights come to reside attributable to a cursed LP. It is the newest from married co-directors Micheline Pitt-Norman and R.H. Norman, who helmed the acclaimed 2021 quick Grummy with teen scream queen Violet McGraw.
Regardless of nonetheless boasting loads of the same old nitpicks that one could make about V/H/S films (and horror anthologies usually) (an overlong runtime, largely forgettable characters, simplistic storytelling, nausea-inducing camerawork),V/H/S/Halloween is by some means higher than the sum of its elements. And there are heaps of elements strewn about – consider me. It will not be probably the most cohesive horror film you will see in 2025, nevertheless it’s completely well worth the worth of a month of Shudder.